Fence-stretching clamp.



T. DE W. RIVERS.- FENCE STRETCHING CLAMP. APPLICATION FILED .lULY23.1915.

Patented May 23,1916.

Witnesses at Q) D Attorneys THOMAS DE WITT RIVERS, OF LAKE CITY,FLORIDA.

FENCE-ST'BETCHING CLAMP.

Application filed July 23, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS DE Wrr'rappliance of that character.

It is the object of the invention to provide a fence stretching clampcomprlslng a unique assemblage of the component parts,

whereby the wire strands may be conveniently applied to the clamp, andso that when the clamp is pulled by the stretching mechanism, the wirestrands will be tightly gripped to prevent slippage.

It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a fencestretching clamp of the nature indicated, which is comparatively simpleand inexpensive in construction, as well as being convenient, efficientand thoroughly practical in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangementof parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within thescope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing,wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the mproved fence clamp, aportion thereof being shown in section. Figs. 2 and 3 are Seetionalviews taken on the lines 22 and 3-3, respectively, of Fig. 1.

In carrying out the invention, the clamp embodies three parallel bars 1,2 and 3, constructed of wood, metal or other suitable material. A seriesof bolts or equivalent elements 4 are slidable through the intermediatebar 2, and their heads 5 are arranged at one side to bear against theouter side of the clamping bar 1. The bar 1 is provided with a series ofslots 6 receiving the bolts 4 and extending to one edge of the said bar,whereby the said bar may be read-.

ily applied to and removed from the bolts 4 when the clamp is applied toand removed Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 41,560.

from the wire strands, respectively. The bolts 4 are attached rigidly tothe bar 3, by means of nuts 7 threaded upon the bolts and embedded inthe inner side of the bar 3, and nuts 8 threaded upon the ends of thebolts and bearing against the-outer side of said bar 3. The nuts 7 and 8thus clamp the bar 3 therebetween and fasten the bolts 4 rigidly to saidbar. The bar 2 is slidable upon the'bolts between the bars 1 and 3.

The adjacent sides of the bars 1 and 2 are provided with longitudinalcorrugations 9 whereby the wire strands disposed between the said barswill be firmly gripped therebetween when the bar 2 is forced toward thebar 1, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

As a means for gripping the wire strands when the clamp is pulled by thestretching or draft-creating mechanism, a plurality of longitudinallyspaced wedges 10 are disposed slidably between the bars 2 and 3, thewedges 10 being arranged transversely of Patented May 23, 1916.

the bars, and the forward or smaller ends nal faces of the respectivewedges 10. The

draft bar 12 is provided with an opening 13 for the engagement of achain or other part 14 of the stretching mechanism (not shown), wherebythe bar 12 is pulled for drawing the remainder of the clamp therewithduring the stretching operation.

In operation, the wire strands may be readily applied to the clamp, byslipping the bar 1 laterally out of engagement from the bolts 4, whichallows the strands to be conveniently and properly placed against thecorrugated side of the bar 2. The bar 1 is then replaced by slipping itupon the bolts 4 under the heads 5 thereof, the wedges 10 having beenmoved rearwardly to allow the bars 1 and 2 to separate sufliciently,whereby the bar 1 may be properly placed upon the bolts withoutinterference. Now, when the strands are properly arranged and applied,the draft bar 12 is drawn forward by the stretching mechanism, whichwill pull the wedges 10 therewith. The wedges working between the bars 2and3, will separate them, until the bar-2 is moved sufficiently towardthe bar 1 for firmly gripping the strands, in which. event, the bars 1,2 and 3, will be pulled forward with the wedges. In this manner,thestrands are properly gripped before they are drawn taut, andthis-prevents the slippage or displacement of the strands during thestretch-. ing operation. The greater the draft, the greater will be thegripping action upon the wire strands, so thatthe strands cannot pullloose.'v The present clamp is therefore of obvious advantage 1nstretching w re fences, and is convenient and efiicient lnuse.

I The bolts 4 are preferably disposed immedi-.

ately above and below the respective wedges 10,130 reduce to a minimum,the tendency of the bars 1, 2 and 3, being bent out of shape or broken,by the action'of the wedges.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A clamp comprising three bars, a wedge disposed slidably between twoof said bars, one of said bars and the third bar forming clamping bars,and means connecting the third bar and the other of the first mentionedtwo bars.

2. A clamp comprising three bars, meme bers attached rigidly to one ofsaid bars and slidable through another bar, a wedge fitting slidablybetween the said two bars, said members. being engaged to the third barand the second mentioned and third bars cooperating to provide clampingbars.

3. A clamp comprising three bars, bolts secured rigidly to one bar andslidable through another bar, the third bar being detachably engaged tosaid bolts and cooperating with the second mentioned bar to provideclamping means, and wedges disposed slidably between the two firstmentioned bars.

" 4. A clamp comprising three bars, bolts vsecured rigidlyxto. one .barand slidable tive wedges, and a draftbarattached to the smaller ends ofthe wedges;

5.-A clamp comprising three bars, bolts secured rigidly to one of themand; slidable] through another, the third bar having slots extending toone edge thereof, and being detachably 'engageable with the bolts, thebolts having heads to bear against the third inen-' tioned bar, andwedges slidable transversely between the two first mentioned bars.

.6. A clamp comprising three bars, bolts secured rigidly to one of themand slidable through another, the third bar having slots extending toone edge thereof and being detachably engageable with the bolts, thebolts having heads to, bear against" the third mentionedbar, wedgesslidable transversely betweenthe two first mentioned bars, the two.

first mentioned barshaving channels receiving the wedges, the boltsbeing disposed immediately adjacent the wedges, and adraft bar attachedto the smaller e'nds'of the wedges. p w i In testimonythat I claim theforegoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signa- 4 1 ture in thepresence of two. Witnesses.

Witnesses:

' E. F. R0BE3TS,

E. ScorrELD.

Copies of thislp'atent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I), G. r

THOMAS 1m v wrr r nrvnnst

